Manny Pacquiao urged EJ Obiena to keep representing the country after the pole vaulter hinted on his retirement following his funding row against the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (PATAFA).

Obiena said he would consider hanging up his spurs if he is unable to continue training in Formia, Italy as PATAFA cut his funding over allegations that he embezzled his funds.

The Tokyo Olympian said he was able to pay the salary of his Ukrainian coach Vitaly Petrov, contrary to what the PATAFA claimed in a report released by the Inquirer on Sunday, November 21.

“Kay EJ, I hope and pray that you will reconsider your decision to stop playing for our flag. Huwag kang mapapagod at huwag kang panghinaan ng loob,” said the retired boxing icon Pacquiao, who is gunning for the presidency.

(To EJ, I hope and pray that you will reconsider your decision to stop playing for our flag. Please don’t get tired and please don’t lose your drive.)

“There will always be people who want to stop you from succeeding but we will continue rooting for you.”

As an athlete, Pacquiao said he felt for Obiena, who has put the Philippines on the pole vaulting map.

Obiena currently ranks No. 6 in the world and holds the Asian record following his victory in the Golden Roof Challenge in Austria in September.

“I’ve been his shoes many times,” Pacquiao said.

“Malaki po ang sakripisyo ng ating mga atleta para ipaglaban ang karangalan ng ating bansa. Sana po mahalin at alagaan po natin sila.”

(Our athletes sacrifice a lot to fight for the honor of our country. Let us love and take care of them.)

While Pacquiao acknowledged that PATAFA needed to ensure that its athletes use their funding properly, he said that the federation should have settled the matter privately.

“Mas maganda sana kung nagsagawa muna ng mas malalim na pagsisiyasat ang PATAFA bago ito gumawa ng memo para kay EJ na tila nai-leak pa sa media,” Pacquiao said.

(It would have been better if PATAFA conducted further research before it created a memo for EJ, which looked like it was leaked to the media.)

“The PATAFA board should have quietly conducted a formal inquiry and directly asked EJ and all others who are involved in his training about the alleged unliquidated funds.”

“Kung ganoon ang nangyari, ‘di sana humantong sa ganitong kahihiyan ang ating atleta,”

(If that was what happened, then our athlete would not have felt humiliated.)

Obiena has demanded a public apology from PATAFA and plans to file a complaint against the federation. – Rappler.com